Chapter 58: Engagement Party

▪ J A D E▪

When the weekend rolled around a few days later, it was time for James and Blaire's party.

I excitedly bounced around in front of the large mirror in my bedroom.

Humming a soft tune to myself, I finished fixing my purple hair in a neat ponytail.

Jee-min peeked in and asked, "You ready? The boss sent me to check on you."

"Yea, I'm almost done!" I replied, then teased, "Are you sad that Blaire's officially off the market?"

"Pfft! I pity James, poor fool," the Korean gave a half-hearted chortle then went on to say, "but seriously, I am happy for the both of them. I think they suit each other perfectly."

"I agree," I said, and grabbed my clutch purse before walking out of the bedroom with him.

The corner of Jee-min's mouth twitched as he commented, "I suppose it's only a matter of time before you and the boss will be engaged?"

At his words, I almost tripped going down the stairs as I stammered, "Wwhat? Us? Engaged? Bit soon to be thinking such things no?" "Careful," he remarked, as he caught me before I could fall, "and it's never

too soon. Besides, we both know that you've been planning your wedding to Dominic these last few weeks. I have the drawings to prove it!"

With bulging eyes, I yelped, "You don't! I thought I threw those away!"

I was not planning a wedding. It was more like I was just contemplating what sort of wedding dress I would wear. In the end, after coming up with a few designs, I nonchalantly threw the sketches in the trash. I should have known Jee-min or Quintin would have found them and used it to tease me.

Refocusing my gaze on him, I urged, "Please burn those!"

Jee-min good-humouredly wiggled his eyebrows as he replied, "And lose my blackmailing leverage? Never, muhahaha!"

"Heeeey!" I scowled.

Using my left hand, I playfully hit him on his shoulder as he led me through the foyer by the eastern entrance and onto the driveway, where a handsome looking Dominic was waiting for me.

"See you at the announcement party," Jee-min winked as he walked back into the Calvetti residence, smiling to himself. "What's got him in such a great mood?" Dominic asked as he watched me approach him. "He's being mean to me as usual," I grumbled.

Chuckling softly at our usual playfulness, his blue eyes slowly scanned my the entirety of my body.

Dominic took his time to observe me, from the way the black strappy heels encased my feet to the way the sultry and sophisticated fit me, enjoying how it stopped above my knees. He smirked at my outfit, clearly

appreciating its design. With its satiny lapels and shapely silhouette, it definitely added some luxe to the traditional tux.

"You look like a gangster in that dress, all you're missing is a Tommy gun," Dominic stated, his smile widening.

Grinning back at him, I raised the dress to my mid-thigh, showing him the purple garter belt that held my CW 9. The weapon was resting against my outer thigh and on my inner thigh, there was a small switchblade.

Seeing me armed like that seemed to instantly arouse him as he suddenly grabbed me and turned us so that he pressed me up against his car. His hands immediately went under my dress to caress the curve of my inner thigh.

"Fucking hell, Jade. That's so sexy, makes me wonder what else you've got on under there," he started kissing my neck as his fingers began to move higher.

Moaning softly, I gently pushed at his shoulders, "You can find out later, we need to leave now. Blaire would never forgive me if we're late."

Growling softly, he bit the skin of my neck gently, leaving another small mark before reluctantly pulling away, "Don't be surprised if I steal you away and have us leave the party early, I'm dying to have you."

"Promises promises," I teased, as we got into the car and headed towards the event.

The announcement party was being held at one of Aelbank City's more popular hotels. The tall and opulent building was located on a busy boulevard, almost in the centre of the metropolis.

James had rented out a section of one of the extravagant restaurants located on the ground floor. The walls were all made of glass, giving us a lovely street view, as the area had historic buildings surrounding it.

When Dominic and I entered into the designated area, we could hear Raeni's melodic voice. She was arguing with someone.

There was a long rectangular table, which would sit the mafia heads and others. It could hold at least thirty guests, while everyone else sat around smaller, rounded tables. The area was also nicely decorated to illustrate the occasion, and there was a big banner that read 'James & Blaire are

Engaged!' which was placed behind the large table just above where the lovely couple was currently sitting.

"I don't like how open this area is, James. Why didn't you let us throw you a party at one of our establishments? We'd have been safer, especially since there's alcohol involved! Not to mention now with the Cartel's cocaine reappearing in the streets, who knows where in the city they or their spies might be!" Raeni exclaimed with a serious look on her face.

Leaning back in his seat, James smiled broadly, "Come on, Raeni, relax! The glass is bullet proof and we're surrounded by how many bodyguards?

Sure, there's alcohol, but I doubt every last one of us will get drunk. We'll be fine! Besides, what's the point in us having all this power and money if we can't live life how we want?"

"Jeesam Peas! Everything is always a blasted joke to you!" she exclaimed, her Caribbean accent thick.

Rolling his eyes, James stated, as he took a large gulp from his stout, "You worry too much."

"And you don't worry enough!" Raeni countered. Sensing the rising tension, Da'mon interjected, "Ease him up nah Raeni! Tonight, we're supposed to be celebrating, not quarrelling with one another.

You two can go back to your usual bickering tomorrow." The Jamaican woman grumbled under her breath before turning to Blaire, "Congratulations again, you have my condolences." Blaire laughed heartily as she leaned over so that they could clink their glasses.

Upon seeing that I had reached, she squealed loudly before hurriedly downing her drink. Standing up quickly, she ran over and gave Dominic a big grin before engulfing me in a tight hug which I happily returned.

"You look beautiful, Blaire!" I gushed, as my eyes took in the white asymmetrical, fully-fitted, strapless midi dress she wore, "Let me see that beautiful ring again!"

We giggled a bit before moving back to the large table. I kissed all the mafia leaders on the cheek as I greeted them before settling down to sit next to Blaire. Dominic then moved to sit on the other chair

next to me. Vincent was sitting next to Dominic, and Quintin and Jee-min were sitting further down the table along with the other usual faces.

I then I noticed that one familiar face was nowhere to be found. With a slight frown, I made sure to scan the crowd again in case I had missed them. "Where's Cristiano?" I turned and asked Blaire.

"I have no idea. I sent him the invite with everyone else's, I haven't heard from him in two weeks actually. I was meaning to ask you if you spoke with him recently, but with the excitement of the engagement it just slipped my mind. You don't think he's still upset about the charm bracelet thing for your birthday, do you?" Blaire pouted slightly. Shaking my head, I replied, "I doubt it. I mean sure, he was a little upset

and wouldn't have minded going shopping with you, but how were you supposed to know that Dominic purposefully left him out? No, Cristiano is smarter than that, he wouldn't stop talking to you for something that wasn't your fault. And, even if he was upset, why wait 2 months to act out?"

Blaire nodded her head at my words. My eyes widened as I suddenly realised something, "Now that you mention it, I haven't heard from him either these past few weeks. I was thinking that maybe he's just swamped with family stuff and online classes, I know he has a thesis to work on."

"But when has his busy schedule ever stopped him from being here for us before? It's not like him to miss something this important. Do you think something happened? I mean, it is a bit odd no? I really hope that nothing is wrong..." Blaire's face contorted slightly as she obviously began to think of

every horrible scenario possible. I could not help but feel slightly guilty. Having been wrapped up with my

new relationship with Dominic, I had not thought to investigate Cristiano's strange behaviour.

Shaking the thought away, I sighed as I noticed the various expressions that crossed my best friend's face.

Touching Blaire's shoulder, I said with a small smile, "Relax, tonight is about you and James, we'll figure out what's going on with Cristiano later on."

The tenseness in her shoulders visibly eased as she calmed herself down and nodded in agreement.

Lowering my voice even more, I whispered and asked, "Have you taken the test yet?"

"Not yet," Blaire replied, blushing in slight embarrassment.

"What the hell are you waiting on?" I hissed with a slight frown.

"I'll do it soon, I promise," she said before pleading, "I just want to focus on this moment for now."

Giving a slight pout, I relented and focused on celebrating my best friend's special moment. We would sort out her predicament later.

The atmosphere was full of laughter as everyone congratulated the couple on their new engagement. Happy chatter filled the air as we all ate and drank. The sudden tinkling of a glass was heard as Da'mon apparently wanted to make a toast.

"Who would have thought that James would have found someone to marry him," the Haitian stated with a grin as he raised his glass, "to James and his beautiful fiancée Blaire, may they live a long and happy life."

"Unless Blaire comes to her senses and poisons him," Raeni teasingly added.

Aleksandr hooted as he too joined in with a spirited smile, "Just say the word, Blaire, I'll get rid of the body for you."

The table erupted with loud laughter; Blaire's eyes watered as she snickered heartily. James on the other hand had a scowl on his face, his brows slightly furrowed as his cheeks turned red.

"I seriously hate every last one of you," the Irishman muttered.

Peppering kisses along his face, Blaire soothed, "Aww babe, you know they're only kidding."

Dominic cleared his throat and the entire room immediately became quiet.

Raising his glass, he said, "To O'Doherty and Blaire, who would have thought indeed, congratulations to you both."

Everyone then turned to me expectantly, with a smile I stood, "Well, I'd just like to end things and simply say, James, if you hurt my best friend, I will kill you, no seriously, I will!" I winked at Blaire as I raised my glass.

"Duly noted," James said with a chuckle as he drank from his glass. About an hour later, while everyone continued to happily converse with each other, I looked at Dominic out of the corner of my eye. From the way he was slightly fidgeting, I could tell that he was growing more agitated with each passing minute.

Even though I tried to ignore it, I knew that Dominic did not miss the looks of longing in Aleksandr's eyes whenever he glanced across the table at me.

Dominic knew that the Russian was in love with me, or at least that's what he claimed. We both knew that Aleksandr would never do anything to harm me, but the fact that he had such strong feelings for me provoked an even stronger possessive need within Dominic himself, making him want to gauge out the eyes of every man who happened to look at me. According to Dominic, it irked him when I unknowingly flirted with Aleksandr.

With a slight flare of his nostrils, I gasped as Dominic began to do something he had stated he would not do, at least not so soon.

Unexpectedly, I could feel Dominic's gloved fingers brushing against my hand that was resting on my thigh. I continued talking with Blaire, my smile growing as I gave him my hand and felt him lace his fingers with mine. My body hummed at the thought that he was touching me in public and I relished in the feeling of his thumb gently caressing the skin on the back of my hand while my own fingers caressed him in return.

I was very surprised by Dominic's behaviour, seeing as we were in public and if anyone were to look under the table, they would see the big Calvetti mafia boss actively allowing someone to touch him.

A part of me wondered if seeing James and Blaire expressing their love for each other out in the open made something shift inside of Dominic. Either way, I was not complaining.

From the way he would look at me ever since the night of my birthday, I got the impression that that he did not want to hide our relationship. However, being who he was, he had held back. No doubt the uncertainty of the situation with the Sonora Cartel had him on edge.

Deciding to just live in the moment, I refocused on the party. About an hour later, I was chuckling at something Aleksandr was saying when Dominic's hand gripped my thigh, pulling my attention back to him.

Leaning to whisper in my ear, he growled, "Stop laughing so much with Tolstoy, his jokes aren't even that funny!"

Momentarily confused by what he said, I turned to look at him properly, my voice soft, "What? Are you being serious right now?"

"Yes! You know that he wants you, stop encouraging him," Dominic hissed back.

I swear he was such a hypocrite!

The irony was that he was always scolding me for my own jealousy and yet here he was, being no damn different! Worse really if you thought about it.

All I was doing was laughing. What was I supposed to do when Aleksandr told a joke, cry?

A frown began to crease on my brow, "Calm down! We're just talking, like usual! It's not like he's going to run off with me somewhere!" my tone was low as I replied.

With a sigh, I shook my head.

I could not believe that Dominic was actually jealous of something so stupid. The thought was thrilling but it also frightened me as I knew how unpredictable he could be, and the last thing I needed was him making a big scene at Blaire's special moment.

Scoffing at what I said, he countered, "Maybe I should just drag you off somewhere instead, fuck that beautiful pussy of yours right now and remind you who you belong to."

My eyes widened at his words while I clenched my thighs.

"In fact, I think I'll do just that. Meet me by the hallway outside the restroom area in two minutes," was all Dominic said before he suddenly stood up and excused himself from the table.

Flabbergasted, I watched as he left the room, stunned by his command. I could not believe that he wanted to do something in public and my body shivered at the thought of us getting caught.